Kamakura Jidai References

[Katayama Hiromoto]

Hi all,

I'm looking for information regarding the history of the Kamakura period. Specifically around the time of the Mongol invasion attempts. More precisely, information regarding the majour clans in actual combat with the invaders.

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks as always.

Katayama

[Matsuyama Yoshitoshi]

Of course, there's always:

Sansom, George, "A History of Japan to 1334", Cresset, London, 1958; pp. 339-470 (with especial reference to pp. 438-451)

Turnbull, S.R., "The Samurai - A Military History", Osprey, London, 1977; pp. 84-94; and

Turnbull, S.R., "The Book of the Samurai - The Warrior Class of Japan"; Bison, London, 1982; pp. 44-53.

[Solveig Throndardottir]

Noble Cousin!

Greetings from Solveig! The major experts in that period of history are Jeffery Mass and Wayne Ferris.

As for "clans". If you are thinking about the "clans" of the sengoku period, they pretty much didn't exist yet. If you are thinking about the "clans" of the Nara period, they were largely out of business by then.

I strongly urge you to read "Heavenly Warriors" by Ferris. Another interesting book is "Gates of Power", but it will probably be of rather less interest to you. It is also by a third author whose name I can not recall at the moment.

Your Humble Servant
Solveig Throndardottir
Amateur Scholar

[Saionji Shonagon]

The bookseller who was merchanting at Cynagua Coronet this weekend (West Kingdom) had a copy of The Clear Mirror:
A Chronicle of the Japanese Court During the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) . I dithered over it for awhile because it was pricy, but it was also 10% off. I ended up paying $42 and I just looked it up and Stanford University Press has it listed for retail at $60. Looks like it should be an interesting read.

Saionji